'Mockingbird' anniversary events great for teens

You must enter the characters with black color that stand out from the other characters

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Like many, I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" in high school and fell in love with it. I loved it so much, I convinced my parents and sister to name our cats Jem and Scout. And it's still my all-time favorite book. I read it every few years.

The classic was published 50 years ago this year. There have been and will be celebrations across the Triangle. And they just might be a great activity for your teen, who is probably reading the book in school too.

Among the celebrations:

Quail Ridge Books & Music on Wade Avenue in Raleigh will hold an event Monday (July 26) featuring music by The Angelettes at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion at 7:30 p.m. by authors Randall Keenan and Tim Tyson and more music with gospel singer Mary Williams.

Cameron Village Library in Raleigh will offer a series of events. It's Southern Film Series will include a showing of "To Kill a Mockingbird" staring Gregory Peck at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Teens and adults are invited to a book dicussion at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 25 (contact Clare Bass at 856-6701 to register). And the library is looking for professional and amateur artists of all ages to submit a piece inspired by the book. Artwork will be accepted Aug. 15 to 5 p.m. Aug. 31. For more information, contact patti.huopana@wakegov.com.

Burning Coal Theatre Co. will stage a production of the book as part of its 2010/2011 Mainstage Series from Sept. 9 to Sept. 26. You can see a rehearsal of the show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at Cameron Village Library.

Check your favorite library or bookstore to see if they are planning special events. And if you know of others, please feel free to post them in the comments.